Sahara Cafe

Our aim for the evening was to write up our reviews (procrastinating Divas), explore a ‘to go’ menue, embibe on affordable wines and one of the best parts, dishing with our Divas, never lacking for great conversation.
The setting was at the home of ‘granola diva’ (a misnomer perhaps, a sketchy diva at best). Atmosphere early cottage, weather gorgeous, music from Patti Smith to Chet Baker, dog, somewhat well behaved.
Detail Diva determined that dining el fresco would fit the evening, linen napkins and wine glasses were set.
As the corks were popped our Industrious Diva arrived with an abundance of food from……..
Sahara Cafe & Mediterranean Food ! Applause shall be forthcoming.
Delectible smells filled the air as the evenings offerings were served. An assortment of three appetizers were chosen -Kibbeh, a bulgar wheat mixed with ground beef stuffed with pine nuts, onions and spices served with pita and tahini sauce (the Divas love tahini, we love to say “tahini”), wonderful it was. Next on the appetizer list was the venerable Stuffed Grape Leaves filled with rice, onions, parsley, lemon, olive oil, and spices. This was a taste treat with all of the flavors combined in perfect harmony. And finally Baba Ghanouj, an eggplant dip with lemon, garlic and tahini, served with pita bread. This was a very robust taste for eggplant, nothing benign about it!
Our pie choice was Spanakopita which is a special blend of spinach, feta cheese and seasonings, baked in a light and flaky phyllo crust.
These divas were certainly not shy on the carbs tonight, and it keeps on going!
Our choice for the ‘Hot Pita Wraps’ was Gyros Pita which is a combination of beef and lamb vertically broiled and served with lettuce, tomato, onions and Tzatziki sauce. Delicious but some of the discerning diva’s were hoping for an ‘all lamb’ gyros, but it was enough to sway veggie diva from her chosen path!
On to authentic Lebanese Wraps, ‘Mediterranean Diet’, this is not!
Shawarma Pita, and thoughts of Danny Thomas, marinated beef served with flat bread, hummus and veggies. Just try it even if you don’t know who Danny Thomas is.
The big ticket item was the….Vegetarian Platter…. at a whole $5.99! Delicious Falafel Platter, balls served with baba ghanouj (we like to say that too, more fun that hummus), tabouleh salad and, of course, pita bread. Detail Diva gives great lessons on how to properly prepare this delight for ones consumption. It has to do with mashing.
Warning too much pita along with too much wine leads to a difficult next day!
We agreed that this is one of the ‘all time best’ Diva eateries.
Sahara Cafe & Mediterranean Food, 1121 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
34236
941.954.1423